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ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS - 1ST READER
My commentary: On 1st reader, the Council votes to introduce ordinances and resolutions to the City Council. If introduced, they will be sent to the appropriate committee(s) for review, and will be subject to public hearings before a vote on whether to adopt or approve them at a later date, unless those rules are waived by unanimous vote. In general, I don't offer an opinion on legislation for 1st Reader, preferring to remain open minded through the Public Hearing process. I try to provide explanatory information below when appropriate.
O-34-13 Historic Preservation Tax Credit - For the purpose of revising the provisions governing the historic preservation tax credit in the City of Annapolis.
O-35-13 Issuance of Bonds and Bond Anticipation Notes - For the purpose of authorizing and empowering the City of Annapolis (the "City") to issue and sell, upon its full faith and credit, (i) general obligation bonds in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $11.5M, and (ii) general obligation bond anticipation notes.
My Comment: The bonds would pay for the following projects:
PROJECT FISCAL YEAR BOND FUNDING
City Dock Infrastructure 2014 $5,150,445
Capital Program Land Acq'n 2013 $2,500,000
City Dock Infrastructure 2014 Grant $1,500,000
Hillman Garage Repl't 2014 $765,190
City Dock Infrastructure 2013 $275,000
General Sidewalks 2014 $250,000
Truxton Swimming Pool 2014 $150,000
Wayfinding Signage 2014 $114,500
Wayfinding Signage 2013 $40,000
Kingsport Park 2014 $10,931
Total $10,756,066. The total bond amount of $11,500,000 includes almost $750,000 for issuance costs and underwriter's fees.
O-36-13 An Amendment to Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in Fall 2013 - For the purpose of authorizing an amendment (adding 20 City moorings in St. Mary's Cove on Spa Creek for the Fall Brokerage Boat Show) to a lease of certain municipal property to the United States Sailboat Shows, Inc. and United States Powerboat Shows, Inc., to conduct boat shows for a certain period of time, including time in October 2013, subject to certain terms, provisions and conditions; and all matters relating to the amendment of the lease.
O-37-13 Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in Spring 2014 - For the purpose of authorizing a lease of certain municipal property located in the areas of Susan Campbell Park, Annapolis City Donner Parking Lot, Ego Alley Water Space, and Old City Recreation Center and other property and water locations as described in the lease to CRUISERS UNIVERSITY, INC., t/a Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show, in April 2014, to conduct boat shows.
O-38-13 Amending Ordinance O-30-13, authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Revenue Bonds, to Conform to Final Special Taxing and Tax Increment Financing District Boundaries - For the purpose of amending Ordinance O-30-13, adopted on July 22, 2013, which authorized the issuance of up to Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000) aggregate principal amount of general obligation refunding revenue bonds (the "Refunding Bonds") of the City of Annapolis (the "City") for the purpose of refunding the City's Special Obligation Bonds (Park Place Project), Series 2005A and 2005B (the "Series 2005 Bonds"), in order to provide that (a) the Park Place Development District and Special Tax District (referred to in Ordinance No. O-30-13 as the "District") include the four additional parcels of land and exclude the land described in Ordinance No. O-40-04, adopted on March 14, 2005, and (b) references in Ordinance No. O-30-13 to "the Resolution" and "the Original Ordinance" shall include Ordinance No. O-40-04, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
R-35-13 Re-Activating the State Commission on the Capital City - For the purpose of expressing the sense of the Annapolis City Council to ask the Governor of the State of Maryland to re-activate the State Commission on the Capital City to regularly connect key stakeholders in order to "study possible ways to preserve and improve Annapolis as the capital of the State," (State Government Article, §9-406).
Analysis of Fiscal Impact: This legislation supports the reactivation of the
Commission to regularly connect key stakeholders to discuss topics such as: studying/funding City Dock improvements, sea-level rise, the City's current PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with the State, and other areas where there is a shared interest. The Commission may accept money from a private or public agency for use in carrying out the powers and duties of the Commission; and for that purpose, may give the money to a private or public
agency or otherwise spend the money. This expression of support produces no direct fiscal impact to the City.
My Comment: The Mayor is requesting that the Council unanimously agree to suspend the rules requiring a public hearing and committee assignment so that the Council can vote on this immediately. I am a proponent of the State Commission on the Capital because I believe that the resulting communication and coordination will benefit the City. I am not aware of any reasons to suspend or not suspend the rules in this particular case, but am certainly open-minded to your thoughts and that of the Mayor and Council members.
R-36-13 Authorizing Two Vendors in the Historic District in Conjunction with the Fall Boat Shows - For the purpose of authorizing Uncle Bob's Fudge Kitchen operating at 112 Main Street to sell lemonade and other complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverage items from a stand on the sidewalk in front of its retail store; and Cub Scout Pack 153 to sell popcorn and other complimentary non-alcoholic beverage items in Hopkins Plaza in conjunction with the 2013 Fall Boat Shows.
My Comment: The Mayor is requesting that the Council unanimously agree to suspend the rules requiring a public hearing and committee assignment so that the Council can vote on this immediately. I am a proponent of the requested authorization and appreciate the time sensitivity in this case. Pending consideration of any opposing views, I intend to vote for suspending the rules in this case and vote for this Resolution.
R-37-13 Waiving a Contractor Parking Fee for the Hammond-Harwood House - For the purpose of waiving a contractor parking fee for the Hammond-Harwood House, a 501c(3) non-profit organization located at Maryland Avenue and King George Street, during roof work on the northeast wing of the historic museum.
My Comment: The Mayor is requesting that the Council unanimously agree to suspend the rules requiring a public hearing and committee assignment so that the Council can vote on this immediately. I am not aware of any reasons to suspend or not suspend the rules in this particular case, and am open-minded to your thoughts and that of the Mayor and Council members.
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